Ei Leen Simone

What inspires you as a designer-artist?Functionality with style and beauty.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?Metal wire, clay, beads.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?Bird in An Earring Tree

What inspired this design?Color, then it morphed into a bird theme.

How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?After many versions and using my creations, one day it just came together.

Share Your Background

When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?I love jewelry and through the years have acquired my share. As my collection grew, it was more difficult to remember what I have as the traditional means of storing does not lend towards easing viewing. I started buying jewelry organizers that hung jewelry but the organizers/trees were not decorative or did not hold many. I was always thinking that I should make my own as I knew what I wanted (I thought) but did not have the time either due to family or work. About 2-3 years ago I was in Asia on a business trip and one evening while window shopping I happened upon a boutique that had a tree branch used to display jewelry for sale. I thought how neat that idea was and stuck it into the back of my head. One day while rearranging my jewelry that had accumulated into a pile on my vanity, I thought about the branch idea I saw in Asia and said to myself, "I should make a jewelry tree." I went shopping in the local arts and crafts stores, got what I thought would work. Well, after many trials and errors, one day it just finally came together. My jewelry earring tree was created.

Who introduced you to beading?No one.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?Trying to find supplies to make my creations. Surfing the net.

What other hobbies do you have?Playing the piano, collecting jewelry.

Beading Success

What role does jewelry-making play in your life?After making my jewelry trees for family and close friends as gifts and hearing the feedback and encouragement to make my trees to sell, I finally started my internet business http://www.birdcharm.com/ in Oct 2010!! Thanks to Fire Mountain Gems, I am able to start my website as I am able to get my supplies. I am hoping to have my website become my retirement "career." Making my jewelry trees is very relaxing and therapeutic.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?As I just started my website, I am trying to use links, write articles in hubpages.com, Amazon store, eBay store and Facebook to promote my site. Also I plan to attend craft fairs in my area. And of course, my biggest selling is through word of mouth, which I truly appreciate.

Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?Currently no, but I do plan to do so in the future.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?Try, try, try. If you have ideas, go for it. With determination, belief in yourself, anything can be accomplished.